This rhetorical analysis is based on the performance by Senator Barack Obama during his appearance on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. During this period of time, Obama was still running against Clinton for the Democratic candidate position. It was obvious from his entrance that his appearance on the “Tonight Show” was an informal and laid-back interview. He entered the stage smiling and waving while wearing a plain white dress shirt, unbuttoned black suit and no tie. Sitting on the couch, he was resting his back against the cushions and had his legs crossed. Obama immediately starting smiling and joking around with host, Jay Leno. All of these factors clue his audience in that this is a very informal appearance.
Although Obama was very loud and light-hearted during the show, as soon as a question that dealt with his campaign and his policies was asked he turned the interview into a very formal one. He immediately sat up in his chair, stopped smiling and changed his tone of voice. I thought he really answered the questions and was even glad they were asked so that he could talk about how he “wants to change Washington.” Although he went back to joking around after answering serious questions, all of his jokes in some way were relevant to his policies or the presidential race. He also stayed on focus by bringing the conversation back to his beliefs and his want to reform Washington.
Obama used very educated language but also put in everyday sayings and jokes once in a while to make his language a little less formal. This technique was done very well because he related to his audience through language but still seemed very educated and intelligent. I felt that Obama was very sincere on the “Tonight Show” and that he did not avoid any questions that Jay Leno asked, but relished in the opportunity to share his views. I also think he did a great job in the way he easily changed the interview from informal to formal when the questions that Jay Leno asked were serious. It was greatly apparent just from his body language when he was being serious and when he was being informal that his joking around with Leno did not take away from his credibility and the seriousness that usually comes with candidates running to be president. Through oral language and body language, I think Obama was very successful in relating to his audience.
1 comment:
I only saw a little bit of this interview, but I still recognize what you are saying. He was indeed very relaxed and funny while on the Tonight Show. His demeanor was just like what I think a person in his position should be. Everything from his dress to his jokes points to him being a very confident yet not cocky person. His body language was good. To me, nothing stood out like nervous gestures or anything, he was calm and collected.I personally hate when people, especially politicians, avoid questions. O'bama did not do this at all. He answered all questions clearly and concisely, not sidestepping anything. I always enjoy watching O'bama because of his eloquence and likable demeanor.
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